Ticket issuing machine



April 22, 1941. J. SLOAN TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l VOID PUSH MINUTE IMPULSE CUTTING KNIFE I lNVENTOR Jase 4i: cS/aaza Y M ATTO RNEY SOLENOID April 22, 1941. J. SLOAN 7 2,239,060

' TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 126 10 51 27 g 7 4 50 45 4 1 F if i, 4 W 47 i5 lNVENTOR 60 L 1 i 1; 4275 Sharp April 22, 1941. J. sLoAN 2,239,060

TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 \NVENTOR ATTORNEY April 22, 1941. J. SLOAN TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed April 20, 19-39 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 W INVENTOR Jase 4]: 610a BY 52% ATTORI VEY Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Joseph Sloan, New York, N. Y.

Application April 20, 1939, Serial No. 268,919

8 Claims.

My invention relates to a mechanism for automatically printing the time of sale on the last ticket of each strip of tickets sold through a ticket vending machine. Such vending machines are in common use in theater box oiiices and include mechanism for ejecting tickets upon the depression of a key. Five keys are usually provided, numbered from 1 through 5 and the arrangement is such that upon the depression of, for instance, the key numbered 4, alike number of tickets will be ejected, the four tickets being connected in a strip. As the tickets come to rest after ejection, a knife automatically severs the strip front the remaining tickets in the machine. The mechanism in accordance with my invention serves to imprint the time on the last ticket of each strip at substantially the instant that the knife acts to sever the strip, that is after the tickets have come to rest.

One of the chief advantages resulting from printing the time as aforesaid is that it greatly reduces the opportunity for fraudulent resale of tickets. The usual arrangement is that a patron purchases tickets at the box office and hands them to a doorman as he enters the theater. The doorman is supposed to tear each ticket in two, give one-half back to the patron, and deposit the other half in a ticket box provided for that purpose. In order to quickly tear the tickets, the doorman folds them in such a way that all the tickets are torn at one time. Assuming the patron purchased a strip of four tickets, this leaves two single half tickets or stubs and three double stubs, that is two half tickets connected together as they were in the original strip. However, it is possible for I the doorman to tear two of the tickets from the strip and then tear these two tickets in half and return both halves of each ticket to the patron, thus providing him with the proper number of stubs, while the doorman retains two complete and untorn tickets which he does not deposit in the box. These may be resold through collusion with the ticket seller in the box office or in other ways.

In accordance-with my invention each ticket is provided with a space in which the time may be printed, but the time is printed only on the last ticket of a strip. When such a strip of tickets is handed to the doorman and he folds them so as to tear all tickets in half by a single tearing operation, the result is that there is one-half or single stub with the time printed in the space provided therefor, one or more double stubs and one single stub without any space for the time. The latter half ticket has a machine-cut edge at one end.

the strips of tickets and has palmed some of the tickets.

My invention also includes means for printing the time on the back. of any ticket which is void 7 ed; It sometimes occurs that the patron changes his mind after the tickets have been ejected from themachine; he either wishes to purchase a ticket for some other part of the theater or decides not to come in. When this occurs the ticket seller immediately sets such tickets aside and is credited for them. This makes it possible for the doorman to return untorn tickets to the cashier and have them improperly credited to her, whereupon the cashier may remove a corresponding amount of money from the till without a discrepancy apt pearing. However, inasmuch as a ticket can be cancelled only before the patron has left the box office, the time of the sale, appearing 'on the face of the ticket must correspond to, or at the most be only a minute earlier than the time of voiding, which appears on the reverse side of the ticket. This does not provide sufficient time for a doorman to return an untorn ticket to the cashier and if a greater interval than one minute appears between the time of sale and the time of voiding,-

this is conclusive evidence of an irregularity.

Another advantage of my invention is that, if the doorman is instructed to always give the patron the stub on which the time has been printed, this provides an immediate check if the patron should request a refund. It is not infrequent that patrons, after having been in the theater but a few minutes, decide for one reason or another that they wish to leave. Such reason might be that they discover that they have seen the show before. In such cases most theaters will refund the money. However, certain people attempt to take advantage of this practice and request a refund after they have seen a complete show. Obviously, if the time of the sale of the ticket has been printed thereon the manager may immediately determine whether or not the patron is requesting a refund after having been in the theater an unreasonable length of time. The present method of checking refunds depends upon the serial number which is inadequate since the time of sale can only be determined approximately. Also at present a patron seeking a refund fraudulently may pick up any recent stub and in spite of it being checked will receive a refund of the admission price. However, with the timed tickets, if the patron resorted to the same practice he would more than likely pick up an improper stub or set of stubs.

A further advantage of my invention is that it enables the theatre manager to determine quite accurately how many people will leave a theater in which a continuous performance is being shown. At present, each ticket bears a serial number and every hour the ticket seller notes on a chart the number of the ticket which was sold at that time. Thus, the manager is able to know how many people enter the theater during any one hour, but he has no way of knowing how many people entered during a shorter period of time. With the time on each strip of tickets sold the manager is able to determine exactly how many people enter the theater during any desired period of time by merely picking up at the beginning of that period a stub bearing the time and another stub at the end of that period and subtracting the serial numbers appearing on the two stubs.

Moreover, the device in accordance with my invention lends itself to a game which may be played by the theater audience. Inasmuch as each ticket bears a serial number and at least one ticket of each strip bears the time at which it was purchased. these numbers may be used to form the basis of a game. For instance, a dial may be provided with numbers from 1 to 12 thereon representing the hours and from. 1 to 60 representing the minutes. Another dial may be provided with the numbers running from O to 9, representing the last digit of the serial number. These dials may be provided with pointers and so arranged that they may be projected on a motion picture screen. Thus, when the pointers are spun they will stop at certain numbers and the patron who holds a ticket having the correct last digit of the'serial number and the correct time may be given a prize. Obviously, several spins of the pointers are usually required before the proper combination of numbers appears, and the suspense thus involved adds to the interest of the game. Also, the fact that the time must be printed on a ticket in order for a patron to have a chance to win a prize causes the patron to examine the ticket when it is purchased in order to see that it has been properly stamped with the time. Thus, the patrons are very apt to notice any irregularity in the sale of tickets, which makes such irregularity much more difficult.

It is quite important that theater box oflices open as per schedule; also that price changes are made on time. The theater owner may now have this information definitely by asking that the first timed ticket at box oflice opening and the first ticket of each price change be turned in to the ofiice.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a ticket vending machine. equipped with a device in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 3 is a. top view of the device in accordance with my invention; 7

Fig. 4 is .a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

'Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view on enlarged scale taken on the line |-'I-of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a top view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a. view of a. strip of tickets as ejected by the machine;

Fig. 11 is a. view of the tickets shown in Fig. 10, but after they have been torn by the doorman; and

Fig, 12 is a view of the reverse side of a ticket which has been voided.

Referring to the figures, reference character it? designates generally a ticket vending machine of well known construction. This machine is capable of ejecting three different types of tickets and banks of keys ll], 32 and 93 are provided. However it may be a one, two, four, five or more unit ejector machine. Each bank includes five keys numbered 8 through 5. Thus, if key number is depressed, the machine operates to eject a strip of four tickets. The device in accordance with my invention is designated generally by reference character 84 and is located immediately above and secured to the ticket vending machine. It is provided with three slots, l5, l6 and H, which are normally closed by pivoted members 18, i9 and 2E9, respectively. These slots are in alignment with ticket guiding channels in the top of the vending machine, so that a ticket ejected-through one of the slots in the vending machine will pass through a corresponding slot in my device. In Fig. 5 there is shown a strip of tickets 2i issuing from the slot H, and it will be seen that this strip has passed through a correspondingly located channel in the ticket vending machine.

The vending machine is provided with a knife blade 22 which serves to sever the strip of tickets from the remaining tickets in the machine. As appears from Fig. 3, the knife blades 22, one of which is provided for each slot, are pivoted in the machine at 24 and are provided with arms 25 which are pivotally connected to a bar 26. The construction of the vending machine is such that, after a strip of tickets has been ejected as a result of the depression of one of the keys, the bar 26 is caused to move in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 3 and e, which in turn pivots the knife blades, thus causing them to sever the strip of tickets from the remaining supply,

The device M, forming the subject matter of my invention, includes a. rigid rectangular frame 21 across which extends a rigid member 28. Flexible Plates 23 are secured to member 28 and have portions normally interposed between the cutting edges of the knives and the tickets to guide the tickets from the vending machine into my device. When the knife blade 22 moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, it strikes the plate 23 and deflects it upwardly. Reciprocably mounted on member 28 by means of pins 29 and 3B is a bar 3|. The end of this bar is provided with a hgorizontally extending projection 32 (Figs. 3 and 4). Pivotally mounted on a fixed vertical pin 33 is a bell crank lever 34. One end of this lever is connected by means of a rod 35 with a bar 36, and one end of the bar is connected to a push button 31 extending through an opening formed in the front of the frame 21. A spring 38 tends to move the push button and the bar 36 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. The other end of lever 34 is provided with a pin 39 which is positioned adjacent to the projection 32 so as to contact the projection when the lever is pivoted in a clockwise direction by the depression of push button 31.

The end of bar 30 opposite from projection 32 is formed with an offset portion 40 between which and pin 30 is disposed a tension spring 3la tending to move the bar to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4. A pawl 4| is pivotally mounted on offset 40. A spring 42 (Fig. 4) is secured to one end of the pawl and to a fixed pin 43, the spring tending to pivot the pawl in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. The opposite end of the pawl is formed with a notch which is adapted to engage a collar 44 formed on a member '45 which is mounted on the end of a rod 46, the rod being reciprocably mounted in ablock 41 secured to the frame. A spring 48 tends to move the rod 46 toward the pawl 4|. A lever 49 is pivotally mounted on the frame member 26 and the lower end of this lever engages a notch or aperture formed in the knife operating bar 26, the arrangement being such that the lever 49 is pivoted by reciprocation of the bar 26. The upper end of the lever 49 is formed with a projection 50 which engages a pin secured to the opposite portion of the bar 3|.

Member (Fig. 3) is formed with a conical surface 52 which engages one end of a resilient strip 53 which carries an electric contact 54. A similar strip 55 is mounted parallel to strip 53 and carries a contact 56. Thus, movement of member 45 toward strip 53 causes this strip to be deflected so as to close the contacts 54 and 56.

Lever 4| (Fig. 4) isprovided with a downwardly extending projection 51 disposed in alignment with a plunger 58 of a solenoid 59. Movement of the plunger 58 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, causes it to strike projection 51 and pivot lever 4| in a clockwise direction, thus disengaging the lever from collar 44 on member 45. The circuit of solenoid 59 is controlled by electric contacts 60 which are closable by movement of a rod 6| to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. The means for actuating this rod will be explained hereinafter.

Mounted on the side of frame member 28 opposite from bar 3| are three generally U-shaped members 6| having bases 62 and parallel arms 63. Members 6| are mounted in alignment with the slots I8, I9 and 20 so that the strips of tickets being ejected pass between the arms 63. Mounted between the arms are printing wheels 64, 65, 66 and 61 (Fig. 6). Wheels 64 carry abbreviations for the days of the week. Wheels 65 carry the numbers 1 through 12 for printing the hour, while wheels 66 and 61 carry numbers for printing minutes from 0 to 60. These printing wheels have associated therewith suitable transfer mechanism which is well known and which serves to transfer values from one wheel to the next when the first wheel has made a complete revolution. If desired, wheels 64 may be independent of wheels 65, 66 and 61 and may be set manually, as is shown in Fig. 5 by means of a gear 69a mounted on a shaft 68a which may be turned by means of a knurled knob 68b. In this case, wheel 64 may also carry several characters intended to designate thecashier on duty. A shaft 68 is rotatably mounted in the arms 63 and carries gears 69 which mesh with corresponding gears 10. The gears 10 are integral with the printing wheels 61.

Shaft 68 also carries a ratchet wheel 1| whic is arranged to be engaged by a pawl 12 pivotally mounted on one end of a bell crank lever 13 (Fig. 7). The lever is pivotally mounted on shaft 68 and a link 14 connects the other end of the lever with a plunger 15 of a solenoid 16. A spring pressed arm 11 holds the pawl 12 in contact with the ratchet wheel. 'A retaining pawl 18 is provided for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel. Solenoid 16 is connected in a circuit including contacts 19 and (Fig. 2). Contact 19 is mounted on a resilient arm 6| which is provided with a cam follower 82 cooperating with a cam 83. Contact 80 is carried by a resilient arm 84 having a cam follower 65 cooperating with a cam 86. Cams 83 and-86 are geared together and driven by suitable clock work so that each cam makes one revolution per minute in clockwise direction. It will be noted that the high point of cam 86 leads the high point on cam 83. Thus, as'soon as cam follower has passed the high point on cam 86, the resiliency of arm 84 moves the point 80 into contactwith point 19, thus closing the circuit for solenoid 16. The circuit remains closed until the high point of cam 83 passes cam follower 82, whereupon the resiliency of arm 8| moves the point 19 away from point 80, thus opening the circuit.

When the circuit is closed, the plunger 15 is caused to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 7 against the resistance of spring 15a. This pivots bell crank lever 13 in a clockwise direction and pawl 12 slides to the next tooth of ratchet 1|. When solenoid 16 is deenergized by the opening of its circuit, spring 15a moves plunger 15 to the right and pivots lever 13 in a counter-clockwise direction, and pawl 12 rotates ratchet 1| one step. The rotation of the shaft 68 in this manner causes the printing wheels 61 to be advanced one step. Thus, the printing wheels are at all times in condition to print the correct time.

Rockably mounted in arms 63 is a shaft 90.

Secured to this shaft are three arms 9|, each of which carries a printing platen 92 disposed in alignment with the printing wheels 64 through 61. A crank arm 94 is secured to shaft and extends downwardly therefrom. A link 95 is connected to the lower end of arm 94 and to a plunger 96 of a solenoid 91. The circuit of solenoid 91 includes the contacts 54 and 56, heretofore described, and the arrangement is such that when the solenoid is energized plunger 96 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, thus rocking shaft 90 in a clockwise direction, 'as viewed in Fig. 5. The rod 6|, which closes the contacts 60 for solenoid 59 is connected to link 95 so that when the link is moved by the solenoid 91, the rod 6| closes the contacts 60.

An inking ribbon I00 is arranged to pass between the printing wheels and the strip of tickets 2| in alignment with a platen 92. Thus, movement of the platen to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, forces the ticket against the printing wheel with the inking ribbon between the ticket and the characters on the wheels and the time is in this manner printed on the ticket.

The ribbon I00 is guided by means of guide pulleys IOI, I02, I03, I04 and I05 suitably located inthe device and is wound on to and off of spools I06 and I01 (Fig. 8). For the purpose of rotating the spools, each is provided with a ratchet I08 and I09, respectively. A pawl IIO has secured thereto a pin III which may be moved back and forth through a slot 2 formed in a stationary frame plate, as shown in Fig. 8. Pawl H0 is provided at one end with a hook I I3 for engaging ratchet I08 and at the other end with a nose H4 for engaging ratchet I09. A spring 5 is secured to the central part of pawl H0 and to a pin I I6 mounted on a rockable arm ||1,which arm may be rocked within the limits defined by and this causes hook H3 to engage ratchet I06 while holding nose H4 out of engagement with ratchet I09. When the pin III is reciprocated in the slot H2 the pawl thus rotates spool I06 in a counter-clockwise direction so as to wind up thereon the inking ribbon I00. As the ribbon is wound on to spool I06 it unwinds from'spool I01 which is, under these conditions, free to rotate.

However, if lever H1 is rocked into contact with pin H9, the spring H will then pass to the left of pin III and the spring will tend to rotate the pawlHO in a counterclockwise direction thus bringing nose I I4 into engagement with ratchet I09 and freeing hook H3 from ratchet I08. Under these conditions, when the pin HI is reciprocated in the slot H2, the pawl H0 rotates spool I0'I in a counter-clockwise direction, thus winding the ribbon up on this spool, which in turn causes it to unwind from the spool I06.

The position of lever H1 is automatically shifted when the ribbon is substantially all wound on one 'or the other of the spools. In order to accomplish this, a pair of arms I and I2I are ivoted at I22 and I23, respectively, and extend between the sides of the spools so as to contact the ribbon wound on the spools. The opposite ends of arms I20 and I2I are connected to links I24 and I25, respectively, which are pivotally connected together by means of a pin I26. An arm I2! is pivotally mounted at I28 and pin I26 engages this arm. A cross member I29 is secured to the free end of arm I21 .and is provided with downwardly extending projections I30 and I3I which are arranged to contact pin I IE on arm H1.

As shown in Fig. 8, practically all of the inking ribbon is wound up on the spool I01. As the ribbon was wound onto spool I0'I it caused arm I20 to be pivoted gradually in a counterclockwise direction and, through the link I24 caused arm I2'I to be pivoted in a similar manner, with the result that projection I3] contacted pin H6 to move arm H'I into contact with pin H8. As above explained, with arm III in this position the pawl H0 rotates spool I06 so as to wind the ribbon thereon and unwind it from spool I01. After the ribbon becomes substantially all wound on spool I06. this will cause arm I2I to be pivoted in a clockwise direction, thus pivoting arm I21 in a similar direction until projection I30 strikes pin H6 and rocks lever HI into contact with pin H9, whereupon pawl H0 rotates spool I 01 so as to wind the ribbon.

thereon and unwind it from spool I06. Pin III is connected to a reciprocable bar I32 which is urged to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, by a spring I33. The opposite end of bar I32 engages a lever I34 which is pivoted at one end at I35 and has its other end in engagement with one of the knife blades 22. Thus, each time the blade pivots in a clockwise direction, it permits spring I33 to move bar I32, thus reciprocating pin III to cause pawl H0 to rotate one of the spools. Hence, the ribbon is advanced a short distance each time a printing operation takes place.

The operation of the device in accordance with my invention is as follows:

Upon the depression of one of the keys in the banks II, I2 and I3, the ticket vending machine operates to eject a strip of tickets, the number of the tickets in the strip corresponding to the number on the key which was depressed. As these tickets come to rest in the position shown in Fig. 5, the mechanism of the ticket vending machine causes the knife actuating bar 26 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, so as to cause one of the knives 29 to sever the strip of tickets from the supply of tickets in the machine. Movement of the bar 26 causes the lever 49 to pivot in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. The upper end 50 of the lever 49 engages the pin 5I on the bar 3| so as to move this bar to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4. The notch in the end of pawl 4I engages the collar 44 on the member 45 thus moving the member toward the contact arm 53 (Fig. 3) so as to close the contacts 54 and 56. These contacts being in the circuit of the solenoid 91, the latter is energized so as.

to move a plunger 96 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. This movement is transmitted by means of the link 95 and the arm 94 so as to rock a shaft in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, thus bringing the platen 93 against the ticket and causing the correct time to be printed on the last ticket of the strip, which ticket is disposed in alignment with the printing wheels 94 through 91. As previously described, these wheels are at all times set so as to print the correct time.

In order to limit the period during which the platen is held against the ticket, I provide the solenoid 59 and the contact 60 in its circuit. The movement to the left, as in Fig. 3, of the plunger 96and link 95 causes the rod 6i to move in a similar direction, thus closing contacts 60 and energizing solenoid 59. This in turn causes the plunger 58 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, so as to contact the projection 51 on the pawl 4I, thus pivoting the pawl slightly in a clockwise direction'so as to disengage it from the collar 44. Hence, the member 45 may be moved to the left under the influence of sprin 48 so as to open the contacts 54 and 56, even though the bar 3| remains in its right hand position, as viewed in Fig. 4. Consequently, the circuit of solenoid 9! is opened and the spring 95a moves the plunger 96 and link 95 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, to return the shaft 90 to the position shown in Fig. 5, where the platen is out of contact with the ticket.

If it is desired to print the time on the back of a ticket when the ticket is voided, such ticket may be inserted in the slot II, the pivoted member 20 of which is slightly narrower than the slot, thus providing a slit through which the ticket may be introduced. The button 31 is then depressed and this movement of the button causes the arm 36 to move to the right, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. The inner end of this arm is connected to a wheel I 40 mounted on the shaft which carries the printing wheels. This wheel is formed with a portion I which carries the letter V or some other symbol designating void" or cancelled. Movement of the bar 36 to the right, as above described, causes the wheel I40 to be rotated a fraction of a revolution in a counterclockwise direction so as to bring the symbol carried thereby into printing position. Move- I ment of the bar 36 also carries the bar 35 to move in the same direction, thus rocking bell crank lever 34 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, so as to cause the pin 39 thereon to contact the projection 32 on bar 3|, thus moving the bar to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4. This causes the contacts 54 and 56 to be closed in the same manner as occurs when the bar 3| is actuated by movement of the knife cutting bar 26. Closing of these contacts energizes the solenoid 91 with the result that the platen 93 moves against the ticket so as to print thereon the symbol V as well as the time. Ordinarily, the tickets should be placed in the slot so that this is printed on the reverse side of the ticket, as is shown in Fig. 12. Due to the fact that there is no positive connection between lever 49 and bar 3|, movement of the bar under the influence of push button '31 may take place while the knife actuating bar 36 remains stationary.

In Fig. there is shown a strip of four tickets which have been ejected. It will be noted that each ticket is provided with a space I10 in which the time may be printed. However, the time is actually printed only on the last ticket of the strip. Of course, if only a single ticket is ejected, the time is printed on such ticket.

In- Fig. 11 there is shown the strip of tickets illustrated in Fig. 10, but after they have been torn by the doorman. It will be noted that this strip consists of three double stubs and two single ones, the time being printed on the single stubwhich is provided with a space for printing the time. As has been explained heretofore, the printing of the time in this manner makes it hazardous for the doorman to improperly tear; the tickets and prevents the possibility of tickets being resold. It is not necessary that the time be printed on each individual ticket of a strip of tickets and it is usually not desirable to do so, inasmuch as this would slow down the ejection of tickets from the machine, but obviously if for any reason it is desired to have the time on each ticket, this may be done. As above pointed out, the time is printed on each single'ticket sold.

Obviously, while my invention has been described' in connection with the sale of theater tickets, it is equally applicable to the use of tick ets for any other purpose, such for instance as in connection with automobile parking lots, and baggage and check rooms. In accordance with the patent statutes I have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, but the scope of my invention is not to be limited thereby, but is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with means for ejecting a strip of tickets, type bearing mechanism located adjacent to the ejected tickets, an inking ribbon disposed between the type and the tickets, a movable platen disposed on the opposite side of the tickets from said type, a knife for severing said strip, means for operating said knife upon the completion of the ejection, and means automatically actuated by the means for operating said knife for'moving said platen against the last ticket of the severed strip to press said last ticket against said type with said ribbon therebetween to thereby print on the last ticket only of said strip.

2. In combination with means for ejecting a strip of tickets, type bearing mechanism located adjacent to the place where the strip is ejected, an inking ribbon disposed between the type and the strip, a movable platen disposed on the opposite side of the strip from said type, a knife for severing said strip, means for operating said knife upon the completion of the ejection, a solenoid for moving said platen against the last ticket of said strip to press the latter against said type with said ribbon therebetween, a pair of contacts in the circuit of said solenoid, and means actuated by the means for operating said knife to close said contacts, whereby printing takes place on only the last ticket of said strip.

3. In combination with means for ejecting tickets, printing mechanism located adjacent to the place where tickets are ejected, means automatically actuated by the means for ejecting tickets to cause said mechanism to print a character on an ejected ticket, a normally inoperative printing element carrying a different character disposed adjacent to said printing mechanism, manually operative means for moving said element into printing position, and means actuated by said manually operative means for causing said mechanism and said element to print both of said characters on a ticket inserted into said place.

4. In combination with means for ejecting a ticket, printing mechanism located adjacent to the ejected ticket, an inking ribbon disposed between said mechanism and the. ticket, a movable platen disposed on the opposite side of the ticket from said mechanism, a solenoid for moving said platen against the ticket to press the latter against said mechanism with said ribbon therebetween to' thereby print a character on the ticket, a pair of contacts in the circuit of said solenoid, a normally inoperative printing element carrying another character disposed adjacent to saidwheels, manually operative means for moving said element into printing position, and means responsive to either the operation of the ticket ejecting means or said manually operative means to close said contacts.

5. In a ticket vending mechanism, means for ejecting a variable plurality of tickets in a con; tinuous strip, normally inoperative printing mechanism, and means operative upon completion of the ejection to cause said printing mechanism to print a character on only one ticket of said strip.

6. In a ticket vending mechanism, means for ejecting a variable plurality of tickets connected together in a continuous strip, printing mechanism, and means operative immediately after said strip has been ejected to cause said printing mechanism. to print a character on only the last ticket of said strip.

'7. In a ticket vending mechanism, means for ejecting a variable plurality of tickets connected together in a continuous strip, printing mechanism, a member in said vending mechanism movable upon completion of the ejection, and means connected to said member for operating said printing mechanism to print on only one ticket of said strip. A

8. In a ticket vending mechanism, means for ejecting a variable plurality of tickets connected together in a continuous strip, printing mechanism, cutting means in said vending mechanism, apparatus for operating said cutting means to sever said strip upon completion of the ejection, and means actuated by said apparatus for operating said printing mechanism to print on only the last ticket of said strip.

JOSEPH SLOAN. 

